EnviroVoters on the End of Session: Legislators Choose Communities Over Corporate Interests

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) released the following statement in response to the end of the 2026 legislative session.  

Statement from Shannon Olivieri Hovis, Chief Strategy Officer, California Environmental Voters:

“California legislators closed a bumpy year by standing with families over corporate interests. The Senate and Assembly advanced nearly every climate justice bill left on the table this session, matching the overwhelming voter support for clean air, healthier and cheaper energy options, environmental protection, and corporate accountability. Seventy-eight legislators voted to close a dangerous loophole that let polluting development projects skip environmental and health reviews. Aligned with voters, legislators sent a powerful package of policy solutions and climate investments to the Governor’s desk. Bills to deliver relief on climate-driven household costs, hold corporate polluters accountable, safeguard clean air and water, and protect our democracy now need only the Governor’s signature to start improving people’s lives.”

Bills Heading to the Governor’s Desk

Budget Package

SB 193 (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Allocations): Protects funding for neighborhood projects like transit, affordable housing, clean air, safe drinking water, and resilient landscapes and communities.

Lowering Costs and Corporate Accountability

• • SB 905 (Becker): Lowers electricity costs by reducing unnecessary utility spending.

• • SB 954 (Blakespear): Closes a loophole that has weakened community safeguards for highly polluting industrial projects.

• • SB 886 (Padilla): Protects ratepayers from data center costs while supporting clean energy and responsible growth.

• • SB 1098 (Pérez): Requires utilities to justify major spending before charging it to customers.
  • SB 1301 (Allen): Requires homeowners’ insurance companies to provide earlier notice and clearer explanations when they plan to nonrenew, cancel, or reduce coverage.
  • AB 1661 (Bryan): Directs oil penalty funds to community members within the vicinity of the Inglewood Oil Field who have a child with a respiratory health condition.

• • AB 2253 (Boerner): Bans misleading recycled-content claims on packaging.

• • AB 2383 (Zbur): Ensures data centers pay their fair share of grid costs while supporting clean energy usage.

Health, Safety & Clean Air

• • SB 1213 (Reyes): Advances zero-emission trucks and cleaner air.
  • SB 1359 (Stern): Requires utilities to consider clean alternatives before investing in new gas infrastructure.
  • AB 40 (Bonta): Requires environmental review for large-scale coal projects that could threaten California communities and air quality.
  • AB 1448 (Hart): Protects California’s coast and communities by limiting offshore oil and gas development.
  • AB 2313 (Berman): Gives homeowners the option and financial incentive to go electric instead of replacing gas lines.

Safe and Equitable Water Access

• • SB 1085 (Durazo): Requires water-supply assessments before approving major new housing developments.
  • SB 1125 (Menjivar): Creates a statewide water-bill assistance program for low-income Californians.
  • AB 2218 (Kalra): Requires state water agencies to include tribes in water decisions.
  • AB 2469 (Papan): Requires new data center projects in California to disclose projected water use and evaluate local water supplies before receiving local approval.

Democracy

• • SB 1164 (Cervantes): Protects against voter suppression and discrimination and strengthens enforcement of voting rights.
  • SB 1360 (Cervantes): Guarantees translated ballots and election materials for voters with limited English proficiency.

Losses

Despite record spending, Big Oil and its allies racked up limited wins:

• • SB 1259 (Blakespear): Ensures refineries have a cleanup and worker transition plan.
  • OPPOSE – SB 1392 (Cortese): Increases air pollution by weakening protections for older cars. 

###